Julie Chao works at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), where she serves as deputy manager of the U.S. Codex Office. The Codex Office is responsible for leading U.S. government participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s work to develop science-based food standards that protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Prior to joining the Codex Office, Julie held positions within USDA as a senior advisor on domestic and international pesticide regulatory policy. In that capacity, she represented the United States at the World Trade Organization Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Food Safety Cooperation Forum. Prior to joining USDA, Julie worked in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs.

Julie holds a Master of Arts in international economics and development from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a Master of Science in Public Health in international nutrition from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She earned her undergraduate degrees in environmental science and sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.